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George S. Patton's speech to the Third Army
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George S. Patton as a lieutenant general

Patton's Speech to the Third Army was a series of speeches given by General George S. Patton to troops of the United States Third Army in 1944, prior to the Allied invasion of France. The speeches were intended to motivate the inexperienced Third Army for its pending combat duty. In the speeches, Patton urged his soldiers to do their duty regardless of personal fear, and he exhorted them to aggressiveness and constant offensive action. Patton's profanity-laced speaking was viewed as unprofessional by some other officers but the speech resounded well with his men. Some historians have acclaimed the oration as one of the greatest motivational speeches of all time.

A shorter and less profane version of the speech became well known after it appeared in the 1970 movie Patton, given by George C. Scott as Patton while standing before an enormous American flag. Scott's performance was instrumental in bringing Patton into popular culture and transforming him into a folk hero.

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